Welcome
Welcome to the first E-Newsletter for 2010 and the first one to use a new formatting and distribution method. So fingers crossed it all works out and gets through to you ok. Please feel free to forward to anyone else you think may be interested in receiving it. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful Easter break.
There are two Southern Tasmanian NDCO networking meetings planned for May. Please note them in your diary NOW if interested and I hope that you are able to come along.
MH-Intouch is a face-face network that discusses how to best assist people living with a mental illness to access education, training or employment. The next meeting will be Tuesday, 11th May, 2.30 - 4.30pm at the Glenorchy Civic Centre. The meeting focus will be on 'How do we demystify mental illness for employers and the business community?'. Please RSVP your attendance to me by the 7th May.
The next PS-Intouch face-face meeting will be held on Thursday 20th May 3.30 -5.30pm at the Catholic Education Office Traning Room, 5 Emmett Place, Newtown. The meeting will provide an opportunity to learn about the new Gateways servcie provision for people with disability that will come into effect on the 1st July 2010. Hear from Disabiltiy Services and the new providers. Please RSVP your attendance to me by the 17th May.
Your 'take time to laugh' Utube snippet for this newsletter is dedicated to good workplace relations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8VAJSXsIFo&feature=related
Resources
Tasmanian NDCO Website
The Tasmanian NDCO website has been updated and re-vamped. The website provides information on services & resources to assist people with disability access further education, training and employment within Tasmania. Any feedback and ideas on the website would be great.Check it out:
www.ndcotas.com.au
Making It Happen: Work Experience booklet for Polytechnic Students
Building on the success of the previous Making It Happen Work Experience resources for students with disability the Tasmanian NDCOs have developed a new resource specifically designed for the Polytechnic context. The booklet can be viewed and downloaded from the ndcotas website.
http://www.ndcotas.com.au/resources-and-weblinks/tasmanian-ndco-developed-resources/making-it-happen-polytechnic-student-workbook
Steps for the future: Interactive computer game
Steps for the future is a futuristic game, designed for young people who have a disability and are making decisions about their future. It was designed specifically for young people with disabilities by Queensland NDCO through the James Cook University. The game conveys a positive message, as players follow the story of a young man overcoming a disability. It also addresses issues including bullying, peer pressure and binge drinking, as well as difficulties in finding a balance between work, study and life.
I will have the game available for viewing at the next PS Intouch meeting or contact me if you would like to preview prior to this. Copies can then be ordered.
Media Releases, News and Research
Disability Employment Services
From March 2010 significant changes were made to the disability employment services. There are no longer waiting lists for services and therefore all eligible job seekers with disability have access to services which meet their individual needs to obtain and maintain suitable employment. There is also stronger incentives built into the services to work with young people prior to exiting school.
There are two different DES options:
1. Employment Support Service for job seekers with permanent disability and need more long-term, regular support in the workplace
2. Disability Management Service for job seekers with disability, injury or health condition who require the assistance of a disability employment service but are not expected to need long-term support in the workplace
For more information and to view local providers:
http://www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/Programs/DES/Pages/default.aspx
or
http://www.ndcotas.com.au/employment/disability-employment-services
Disability and Vocational Education and Training Web Resource
The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has developed an online resource which brings together all of its statistics and research on people with a disability and VET. It features information on topics such as diversity, participation, accessing support and employment outcomes. To access this resource visit http://www.disabilityandvet.edu.au/
Call for critical review of Australia's disability laws
People with disabilities in Australia live on a lower socio-economic rung than most. People with a disability have poorer educational qualifications, have a higher rate of unemployment, earn lower wages on average, have a reduced life expectancy of up to 20 years, are three-times more likely to be a victim of violent crime and, are far more likely to be the victim of a sexual assault than the rest of the population. Our laws do little to address these critical issues.
What's needed is a complete review of the existing legal framework to ensure that people with disability live lives of dignity and can realise their potential to fully participate in Australian society. Currently, the disability sector is compiling a shadow report to the United Nations on Australia's compliance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was ratified by the Australian Government in 2008.
The shadow report reveals that many of the requirements of the CRPD are ignored in Australia and that people with disabilities experience high rates of social isolation as a result.
See full article at:
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/australias-disability-laws-need-critical-review-20100312-q2vv.html
Risk Factors and Participation in Work
Nearly all working age people reported at least one health risk factor, and three quarters reported multiple health risk factors, according to a recent report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
The report, Risk factors and participation in work, looked at the work patterns of people who reported health risk factors, and compared them with the work patterns of those who did not report health risk factors.
For men with three or more risk factors, the odds of being out of the labour force were twice as high as for men without health risk factors. For women with three or more risk factors, the odds were almost twice as high.
Full report:
http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10741
Upcoming Events/Activities
National Disability Summit
The National Disability Summit will be held on 29-30th April 2010 in Melbourne. It features presentations from leading experts and key decision makers on policy and funding from across the nation, including Hon. Bill Shorten MP, Graeme Innes, and Dr Ken Baker. Topics include: System under pressure; the case for disability inclusion allowance and a National Disability Scheme; and current state reforms.
For more information and to register contact:
Sophie.little@informa.com.au
Suicide Awareness and Prevention Workshop
Wesley Life-Force in association with Glenorchy City Council are hosting a suicide awareness and prevention workshop on Tuesday 27th April. The workshop is suitable for both community service providers and members of the general public with an interest in working together to educate, empower and resource the community on suicide prevention issues.
For further information and to register contact: Renate Hughes, Youth Development Officer at GCC on rhughes@gcc.tas.gov.au or by phoning 0362 166770 by 23rd April.
Conferences and workshops
Inclusive Learning Technologies® Conference 2010 25-28 May, Surfers Paradise
Hosted by Spectronics, the conference focuses specifically on “inclusive learning technologies” – technologies designed to advance independent achievement for people with disabilities and/or students with learning difficulties. It includes sessions looking at these technologies in the following three interest streams: Struggling Students; People with Complex Communication Needs; and People with Disabilities.
http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/conference/2010/
Social Role Valorisation Introductory Workshop, 16-17 June, Hobart
This is for those who want to see improvement in the lives of people who miss out on many of the good things in life because of poverty, homelessness, age, mental illness, aboriginality, ethnicity or an impairment or disability. It will be beneficial for paid or unpaid workers, human service workers, managers, teachers, policy makers, service recipients, family members, advocates and board members. See flyer attached for registration
Assistive Technology Conference 10-13th August, Hobart
The Australian Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Association (ARATA) is holding their national conference in Hobart, 10-13th August 2010. The conference titled AT:The tip of the iceberg will examine beyond the prescription of equipment to look more deeply at the issues of funding, training, and support for users and their support personnel, and helping consumers to have the endurance to persevere with their equipment, despite the obstacles.
Pathways 10 2010 Conference - Brisbane 1-3 December 2010
The Pathways 10 Conference Organising Committee would like to extend a warm invitation to everyone who shares the vision for more inclusive tertiary education experiences. Join us for three days of thought-provoking discussion, information-sharing, strategising and problem solving as well as some great social events and networking.
http://www.pathways10.org/
ACE Conference 2010, 16-18 June in Hobart
ACE is a peak network body for Disability Employment Servcies. Their conference will include stories from the coal face, evaluation strategies for new Disability Employment Services, better practice in supporting jobseekers, workers and employers and good practice in ‘pathways’ to employment. As well as a focus on sector leadership and where DES fits within the broader labour market agenda.
www.conferenceworks.net.au/ace
Funding opportunities
Scholarships through Tas Deaf
The James Beam scholarship is for Deaf / hearing impaired students to apply for up to $5,000 to cover their education cost for those attending Uni or Polytechnic.
Tasdeaf Sponsorship of a Community Organisation
The Community Sponsors program is for any organisation, including sports organisations, to apply for up to $5,000 for anything they wish to do for their club/community as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. The purpose of the program is to build goodwill with the community and to promote Tasdeaf in a positive way and to generate exposure to the broader community about Tasdeaf. Eligibility - the Sponsorship Award is for an organisation that has existing people who are Deaf and/or Hard of Hearing people or are planning to include such people during the 12 months (duration of the scholarship).
Applications for both to be submitted to Grant Roberts CEO, Tasdeaf, 334 Elizabeth St, North Hobart or email manager@tasdeaf.org.au Applications can be by writing or video. For any queries please contact Grant on 03 62316501
Print Disability Services Program – closes 9 April 2010
The Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs is calling for eligible non-government organisations to apply for funding under the Print Disability Services Program. The Department provides funding for the production of print material into alternative communication formats for people who, by reason of their disability, are unable to access information provided in a standard print medium. Funding under the Program is directed to the production of digital masters of print material.
For further information, eligibility requirements and for the application documentation visit
www.fahcsia.gov.au
RACT Community Fund – closes 9 April 2010
The fourth round of the RACT Community Fund is now open. Financial support provided through the RACT Community Fund should be a partnership between organisations through projects or programs that add ongoing value, with the primary aim of enriching the Tasmanian community. Tasmanian not-for-profit community groups are invited to obtain an application form from http://www.ract.com.au/community_fund
Nyrstar Community Grants – closes 30 April 2010
Nyrstar are offering grants up to $3 000 for projects that assist sustainable community development. Sponsorship guidelines can be obtained by calling 6278 4444 or by emailing hobart.community@nyrstar.com
Arts Tasmania’s Assistance to Organisations Program
This supports arts activities that employ professional arts practitioners and engage the community in arts activities. These activities may be as diverse as exhibitions, plays, concerts, festivals, literary magazines, publications, industry development, audience development or community cultural development projects.
Applications close 30th april 2010.
http://www.arts.tas.gov.au/organisations
About Us
National Disability Coordination Offices in Tasmania
The NDCO program aims to improve the transition and increase participation for people with disability in post-secondary education, training and subsequent employment.
Southern Tasmania
Phone: (03) 6226 1796
Fax: (03) 6226 2059
C/- University of Tasmania Private Bag 2 Hobart TAS 7001
Email: debbie.hindle@utas.edu.au
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